The threat posed by drugs across the nation is a significant concern for the future of our youth and communities, according to Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu. She emphasized that the responsibility of safeguarding young people from this issue does not rest solely with the government or religious leaders but must start with love and care within the home.
While speaking at the opening of the Vodafone Rakiraki Carnival last Saturday, Bainivalu highlighted the relevance of this year’s carnival theme, “Empowering Youth, Protecting Futures: Drug-Free Starts with Me.”
“As a strong woman leader from the province of Ra, I am alarmed by the wave of drug-related problems affecting the country,” Bainivalu stated. She stressed the importance of empowering young people to become resilient and confident in their ability to lead drug-free lives, underlying that the journey to abstaining from drugs starts from within.
The minister advocated for ongoing awareness campaigns within families, communities, and villages to positively influence the country’s socio-cultural landscape. She noted the pivotal role that religion plays in empowering youth by providing meaning and purpose, serving as a means of social control, and encouraging positive societal change.
Bainivalu reiterated that protecting youth from these dangers should begin at home, teaching children to resist peer pressure and make healthy, informed decisions. She also recognized the government’s efforts to address the escalating drug crisis, citing the recent establishment of the Fiji Counter Narcotics Bureau and the development of the National Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028 as evidence of their commitment to confronting the issue.
“These initiatives show that we are not fighting this battle alone. Together, we can safeguard our future,” she concluded.